THE BEAT: CHICAGOLAND - FROM DOWNTOWN AND THE CITY'S NEIGHBORHOODS

Historical museum spreading its wings

BARRINGTON — The Barrington Area Historical Society's museum, born as a small town depository of local artifacts, is starting to resemble the big boys along Chicago's lakefront.

After six years of upgrades to its presentation space, the museum is hosting traveling exhibits that normally play in much larger spaces.

The newest, which opens Monday, is "Diana Walker: Photojournalist," an exhibit of 82 images taken by the noted photographer of presidents and the powerful. The photos on loan from the Smithsonian Institution include those of a frigid tea party between former first lady Nancy Reagan and her Soviet counterpart Raisa Gorbachev and candid shots of the Clinton family's final week in the White House.

Society President Michael Harkins said the museum installed new lights, UV-blocking windows and a top-notch security system to make it eligible to stage national-caliber shows. The shows, in turn, should attract out-of-town patrons who otherwise might never have considered visiting.

"We're interested in cultivating different audiences," Harkins said. "Those individuals who live in the Barrington area can come here and see Barrington history. Those who live in Oak Lawn or Oak Park who are interested in a Smithsonian exhibit can come here too, and it's good for our town, good for our businesses."

The changes were completed last year, and the first big show featured artifacts from the early days of flight. When the photograph exhibit concludes in March, another Smithsonian show on inventors' doodles--napkin sketches that preceded famous creations--will take its place.

The museum, at 212 W. Main St., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and children.